Free Prostate Cancer Test Kit

Comparing Free And Total Psa

Comparing the results of total and free PSA tests can give doctors an idea of how likely it is that a person has prostate cancer.

Free PSA ranges can vary, but generally, a higher ratio of free PSA to total PSA indicates a lower risk of prostate cancer. On the other hand, a low ratio of free PSA to total PSA indicates a higher risk of having prostate cancer.

However, PSA tests alone will not confirm a diagnosis, as other factors can affect PSA levels. A digital rectal exam and prostate biopsy may also be necessary.

PSA kinetics can affect PSA levels.

PSA kinetics reflect how levels change over time, as can happen when a person has or is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. The factors involved are PSA velocity and doubling time.

PSA velocity measures how rapidly levels are rising, and it can indicate that prostate cancer is recurring or progressing.

Doubling time is a calculation of how long it takes for PSA levels to double. It can give an idea about how quickly the cancer is progressing. For example, a faster doubling time can suggest a more aggressive cancer.

Prostate Cancer Free Mission

The Prostate Cancer Free Foundation is here to help you quickly learn about the prostate gland, cancer of the prostate, prostate cancer treatments and treatment side effects. If you are recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, you have a choice in your prostate cancer treatment. If diagnosed early, there are many options. The decision can be more complicated for patients with more advanced disease where the risk of cancer relapse is greatly increased. Relapse or recurrence is the return of cancer, requiring additional treatment. This website features information to help you determine which prostate cancer treatments are the most successful at eliminating localized cancer. Increase the odds of remaining prostate cancer free for the rest of your life.

The Prostate Cancer Free Foundation is a NON-PROFIT 501-C. The Foundation is completely dependent upon donations. Your tax deductible donation enables the Foundation to continue the valuable work of educating men and their loved ones about prostate cancer.

What To Do If You Have Symptoms

Talk to your GP if you’re worried about symptoms or have noticed any unusual or persistent changes.

• Screening for prostate cancer 2013Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews D Ilic, MM Neuberger, M Djulbegovic, P Dahm

• Effect of a low-intensity PSA-based screening intervention on prostate cancer mortality: the CAP randomized clinical trial Richard M Martin PhD and othersJAMA, 2018. Volume 319, Pages 883-895

• Mortality Results from a Randomized Prostate-Cancer Screening TrialGL Andriole and othersThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2009. Vol 360, Issue 13

• Randomised prostate cancer screening trial: 20 year follow-upG Sandblom and othersBritish Medical Journal, 2011. Vol 342, Issue 1539

• Prostate cancer risk management programme : benefits and risks of PSA testingPublic Health England, 2016

• Screening and prostate cancer mortality: results of the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer at 13 years of follow-upFH Schroder and others

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Repeating The Psa Test

A mans blood PSA level can vary over time , so some doctors recommend repeating the test after a month or so if the initial PSA result is abnormal. This is most likely to be a reasonable option if the PSA level is on the lower end of the borderline range . For higher PSA levels, doctors are more likely to recommend getting other tests, or going straight to a prostate biopsy.

Who Should Take This Test

Any male over the age of 40 should establish a baseline PSA level and be regularly screened for prostate cancer. Based on your baseline PSA level and risk factors such as age, race, and family history, you might have to be re-tested annually, while others can wait years between screenings. Men are at greater risk if they:

• Have a family history of prostate cancer
• Are of black ethnic origin
• Are overweight or obese

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Should You Get A Psa Test

Most people with penises will get a PSA test in their lifetime. Depending on your age and risk factors, your doctor may encourage one.

Organizations, like the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force , have laid out recommendations for those considering a screening.

The USPSTF recommends the following for those who have an average or increased risk of prostate cancer, do not have symptoms of prostate cancer, and have never been diagnosed:

• If youre 55 to 69 years old, you should make an individual decision whether you want to take a PSA test.
• Before making a decision, you should talk with your doctor about the including the benefits and harm of other tests and treatment.
• If youre age 70 or older, you should not be screened for prostate cancer routinely.

The suggests you also consider the following when talking with your doctor prior to screening:

• if you have a family history of prostate cancer
• if youre African American
• if you have other medical conditions that may make it difficult to treat prostate cancer if its found
• how you value the potential benefits and harms of screening, diagnosis, and treatment

• Price: $69
• Type: in-person collection
• Insurance coverage: FSA and HSA accepted

While QuestDirect offers many at-home testing kits, and you can purchase the PSA online, the company currently requires customers to set up an appointment and come into a testing center for an in-person PSA test.

How Can I Prepare For An At

One important step for an accurate test is to abstain from sexual activity either masturbation or with a partner for 48 hours. People with penises cannot ejaculate prior to the test, since the semen released can elevate PSA levels and skew the results.

Most at-home PSA kits recommend that you collect blood samples first thing in the morning, but no fasting is required.

While no food or drinks are proven to skew results, imaware notes that some supplements and medications may raise or lower PSA levels.

You should consult with your doctor if youre undergoing chemotherapy or taking any of the following medications or supplements:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• lycopene
• phytoestrogens

Heavy exercise can also temporarily increase PSA levels, leading to inaccurate results. According to LetsGetChecked, even seemingly simple activities, like riding a bike, may increase your PSA level. Its best to refrain from exercise for a few days prior to testing.

Urinary tract infections or recent pelvic injuries can also impact your PSA levels, so its best to consult with your doctor if youre experiencing an infection or taking antibiotics for a UTI.

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Should You Know Your Psa Level

Instead of a national screening programme, there is an informed choice programme, called prostate cancer risk management, for healthy men aged 50 or over who ask their GP about PSA testing. It aims to give men good information on the pros and cons of a PSA test.

If you’re aged 50 or over and decide to have your PSA levels tested after talking to a GP, they can arrange for it to be carried out free on the NHS.

If results show you have a raised level of PSA, the GP may suggest further tests.

Should I Have A Psa Test

If you have no symptoms of prostate cancer and are thinking about having a PSA test, you should ask your doctor about the risks and benefits.

While some studies suggest PSA reduces mortality on a population basis, the test picks up large numbers of cancers that would have caused no symptoms or harm in the patient. This is known as overdiagnosis. Overdiagnosis of prostate cancer can lead to unnecessary treatments that have side effects such as sexual impotence, urinary incontinence and bowel problems.

It is important to balance the potential benefit of detecting a prostate cancer early against the risk that detection and treatment may not be necessary. Treatment may affect your lifestyle but it may also save your life.

Make your own decision about whether to be tested after a discussion with your doctor. Ensure you get good quality information to make an informed decision.

Screening tests for breast, bowel and cervical cancer can save lives, but there is still confusion around PSA testing for prostate cancer. Find more information here.

Remember, if you have any concerns or questions, please contact your doctor.

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What Do The Results Mean

Your results will share the nanograms per milliliter of PSA in your blood. This biomarker has stirred controversy over the years, since there is no number considered normal. Typically, a PSA of 4 or higher would show an increased risk of prostate cancer.

According to the organization general PSA guidelines are:

• 0 to 2.5 ng/mL is considered safe.
• 2.6 to 4 ng/mL is safe for most, but you should talk with your doctor about other risk factors.
• 4.0 to 10.0 ng/mL is suspicious and might suggest the possibility of prostate cancer. Its associated with a 25 percent chance of having prostate cancer.
• 10.0 ng/mL and above is dangerous and should be discussed with your doctor immediately. Its associated with a 50 percent chance of having prostate cancer.

Its important to understand that this is not always the case. Some people with lower levels of PSA may have prostate cancer, and some people with higher levels of PSA might not have cancer. The PSA test is simply the first marker of prostate enlargement and cell activity.

Pc Screening Using The Psa Spot Test

PC screening using the PSA SPOT test kit was offered to male participants in educational public lectures that we conducted in various cities from June 2005 to July 2016. Blood samples from 1429 men were evaluated. The blood samples were obtained before the lectures, serum was separated from blood by centrifugation, and the PSA SPOT test was immediately performed. The results of the tests were reported to the participants at the end of the lectures. We then enclosed and passed referral letters if the results were judged as positive.

This study was approved by the ethical review board of Kochi Medical School . Written informed consent was obtained regarding PC screening using the PSA SPOT test. All methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations.

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Prostate Psa Blood Test

£79.00

This Prostate blood test will check your levels of PSA in your blood, which can be a sign of prostate cancer if elevated.

Blood taken by a professional in-clinic:

Visit one of our nationwide clinics to have your blood taken from a vein in your arm by a healthcare professional.

Test conducted in-clinic with rapid results:

Visit a clinic to have a blood sample taken from your finger and tested using our gold standard rapid analyser with one of our healthcare professionals.

The advantage of this test is that it removes the need to send your blood to a lab for analysis.

Your results will be presented at the end of your appointment, signed by our clinician.

Sample taken at home using a test kit:

Sample taken at home with a test kit: Well send you a complete kit to collect a sample at home.

Book your Appointment

In the UK, 1 in 8 men with get prostate cancer in their lifetime. Risk increases with age and is even higher for black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer.

If you are aged 45 or over, or have risk factors such as family history of prostate cancer, this test will help identify your PSA levels.It is also suitable for individuals who have previously been diagnosed with prostate cancer and want to monitor their PSA levels.

Do False Negatives And False Positives Happen

The PSA test is not a fool-proof method to test for prostate cancer.

When prostate cancer develops, PSA levels often rise about 4.0 ng/mL, but there are exceptions to the rule.

A showed that some people with PSA levels below 4.0 ng/mL had prostate cancer, while some with higher levels did not.

The ACS states that about of people with a PSA below 4 will have prostate cancer.

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When Is A Psa Test Needed

If you are age 50 to 74, you should discuss the PSA test with your doctor. Ask about the possible risks and benefits.

Men under 50 or over 75 rarely need a PSA test, unless they have a high risk for prostate cancer.

• You are more likely to get prostate cancer if you have a family history of prostate cancer, especially in a close relative such as a parent or sibling.
• Your risks are higher if your relative got prostate cancer before age 60 or died from it before age 75. These early cancers are more likely to grow faster.
• If you have these risks, you may want to ask your doctor about getting the PSA test before age 50.

This report is for you to use when talking with your healthcare provider. It is not a substitute for medical advice and treatment. Use of this report is at your own risk.

04/2014

What Can Cause Psa Levels To Rise

PSA velocity is the rate at which PSA levels change over time, and a rapid rise in PSA is alarming. PSA can be elevated due to many reasons including prostatitis, which is inflammation , or infection of the prostate. PSA levels can also rise due to an enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia . Finally, having prostate cancer can lead to high levels of PSA.

Some factors can lead to elevated PSA levels, stressing out the patient in vain. For example, when a man ejaculates two days before the test, his test will show what is called a false positive. So, make sure you talk to your physician about it.

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How Does The Test Work

The bowel cancer screening test is a clean and simple test that you do at home, which looks for very small amounts of blood in the bowel motion that may be a sign of bowel cancer or other bowel problems. It is known as an immunochemical faecal occult blood test or iFOBT.

Bowel cancer can develop without any symptoms. The test can detect microscopic amounts of blood in the bowel motion, which can be a sign of bowel cancer. The test cant show what is causing the blood to be there.

Blood in your bowel motion may be due to cancer or other conditions, such as , or inflammation of the bowel.

If your result is positive you will be asked to contact your doctor, who may recommend further tests to find out the cause of the bleeding.

What Are The Benefits And Risks Of A Psa Test

One benefit of PSA testing is the increased chance of finding prostate cancer before it spreads.

However, PSA testing is no longer routinely recommended because even in the potential of detecting all prostate cancers, it would not always lead to improved survival.

The CDC states that a false positive can lead to unnecessary worry and tests, like a biopsy, causing potential harm.

There are some cases where the amount of prostate cancer is so minimal that it would never be life threatening. of people who would have not had symptoms or died from their amount of prostate cancer may lead to more medical complications from the treatment, according to the CDC.

Some treatment side effects include:

• urinary incontinence
• erectile dysfunction
• bowel problems

If youre concerned about your treatment plan, its a good idea to get a second opinion and weigh the pros and cons of treatment.

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What Will My Results Tell Me

If youâve never had a PSA test before, it will provide you with a baseline total PSA level. Youâll use this level initially to understand your likelihood of potential prostate cancer â but you can also use this test to compare your PSA level year-over-year to understand the health of your prostate. If your test flags a high PSA level, your physician can pursue further diagnostic testing if needed.

Is The Prostate Screening Exam Right For You

Advanced Urology Associates provides for a free prostate cancer screening if the below criteria is present and a PSA/DRE have not been performed within the past year:

• Age 40: Consider baseline PSA
• Age 45: Annual screening if African American or have a father or brother who had prostate cancer before the age of 65
• Age 50: Annual Screening

*Screening in men with less than a 10 year life expectancy, either due to age or other illness or disease, is discouraged.

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How Do I Do The Test

The bowel cancer screening test is easy-to-do and can be completed in the comfort of your own home.

Collect samples of your bowel motions :The test comes with an instruction sheet that explains how to do this. Samples should be collected from different bowel motions , as close together as possible, so either on the same day or within three days of taking the first sample.

Send the samples for testing:Once you have collected your samples, put them in the reply paid envelope provided together with your Participant Details Form, and send the envelope in the post.

Get the results:The samples are processed and the results are sent to you, and your nominated doctor or health service within two weeks.

See how to do the test.

Test Kit Helpline 1800 930 998

What Do Your Test Results Mean

In general, the higher your PSA level and the lower your free PSA level, the greater your risk of having prostate cancer. Ranges are determined by age. As you get older, your PSA levels will normally rise, even if you dont have prostate cancer.

Doctors also look at other aspects of PSA, including:

• PSA velocity. Changes in your PSA levels, called PSA velocity, are another consideration. If your PSA levels rise rapidly, your risk of prostate cancer is greater.
• Doubling. The faster your PSA doubles, the greater your risk of more aggressive prostate cancer. Doctors also use doubling time to determine if prostate cancer has spread in men who already have been diagnosed with the disease.

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